State police rescue two snowmobilers fallen through ice on Higgins Lake

HOUGHTON LAKE — Two snowmobilers who crashed through the ice on Higgins Lake were being treated for hypothermia after being pulled to safety by a pair of Michigan State Police troopers and area citizens.

Around 6:15 p.m., Michael Roy, of Houghton Lake, and James Cooper, of Chesaning, fell through the thin ice covering the lake. A short while later, Troopers Kyle Kehn and Harold Terry of the state police's Houghton Lake Post were dispatched to the scene near the lake's west shore boat launch.

Troopers report Roy and Cooper were in two different locations about a half-mile apart. Friends of the pair had made unsuccessful attempts at rescuing them prior to the troopers' arrival.

After the two snowmobilers had been in the icy water for about 20 minutes, Kehn located Roy near the boat launch and was able to deploy a rescue disk to him. With help from two of Roy's friends, Kehn pulled Roy onto safe ice.

Meanwhile, Terry located Cooper and also deployed a rescue disk. Terry was also assisted by bystanders in pulling Cooper to safety.

Both victims were transported to Grayling Mercy Hospital. They are expected to make a full recovery, troopers report.